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Sensory processing disorder (SPD), also known as sensory integration dysfunction, affects how individuals with the disorder interpret sensory information from any or many senses. This often makes it difficult for the individual to respond appropriately to sensory stimuli. Because of this, sounds or textures can become irritating or even painful (Khalid, 2025).

The misinterpretation or incomplete processing of sensory stimuli seen in SPD may also make it difficult for the individual to filter sounds, smells, and other sensory information the way a typical person would, making it more difficult to distinguish what is important. When exposed to too much unfiltered sensory input, this individual will often become overstimulated and overwhelmed. Everyone reading this is likely familiar with the most common signs of SPD. These common signs include an intolerance to bright lights and/or loud noises, an aversion to certain textures, increased distractibility by background noise, an aversion to sudden touch, and a decreased sense of spatial awareness (Rutgers-New Brunswick, 2025).

Some of these SPD symptoms, such as hypersensitivity, are often confused with those of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, it’s important to note the three main subtypes of SPD, distinguishing the condition from ASD itself. These subtypes are known as sensory modulation disorder, sensory-based motor disorder, and sensory discrimination disorder (Hawthorn, 2024).

The most common symptom of sensory modulation disorder is an individual’s decreased ability to regulate their responses to sensory input, leading to overreactions or under-reactions to certain sensory input, and a potential craving for additional sensory input. Sensory-based motor disorder, on the other hand, primarily affects balance and spatial awareness. This decreased awareness can lead to increased difficulty in processing body movements (Hawthorn, 2024).

The third subtype, sensory discrimination disorder, is often seen when an individual has difficulty interpreting sensations. This can lead to a decreased ability to distinguish between certain letters, such as M and N, or to determine when there is an urge to use the bathroom. Unsurprisingly, recent studies have shown that between 90% and 95% of those with an ASD diagnosis also experience SPD. In the United States, around 1 in 45 adults and 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with ASD, while around 1 in 6 US children are diagnosed with severe SPD (Hawthorn, 2024). While the medical community continues to debate whether SPD is its own diagnosis or simply a key diagnostic symptom of various neurodiversities, it’s important to see this as a clear example of the relationship between correlation and causation.

References

Hawthorn, A. (2024). It’s not Autism, It’s Sensory Processing Disorder. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-sensory-revolution/202012/its-not-autism-its-sensory-processing-disorder 

Khalid, E. (2025). Sensory Disabilities — Type, Effects, and Treatment. NuPrisma. https://nuprisma.com/sensory-disabilities-types-effects-and-treatment/

Rutgers-New Brunswick (2025). Sensory Disabilities. Department of Kinesiology and Health. https://kines.rutgers.edu/dshw/disabilities/sensory/1061-sensory-disabilities